A writ petition has been filed at the Supreme Court against the government’s recent decision to recall Nepali ambassadors serving in 11 different countries.
Journalist Sunil Bhattarai filed the writ petition making the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the defendants, demanding that the government’s decision be annulled.
The Supreme Court has scheduled a preliminary hearing on the writ for Kartik 9. The writ argues that the decision made by the Council of Ministers on 30 Ashoj 2082 to recall the ambassadors is against the Constitution and prevailing laws. It has also requested the court to issue an interim order to prevent the implementation of the decision.
The petition claims that the current government led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki was formed with a mandate only to conduct elections and transfer power to the newly elected government. Therefore, it argues, the government does not have constitutional authority to make decisions with long-term political and diplomatic consequences beyond daily administrative functions.
The petition further states that since the House of Representatives has already been dissolved and dates for new elections have been announced, recalling ambassadors appointed by the President upon parliamentary approval, based on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, could negatively impact Nepal’s diplomatic image and international reputation.
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